Northumbrian Water is starting work on an £8.3 million investment to protect and enhance the water quality in the River Skerne.

The water company is upgrading its sewage treatment works in Trimdon, County Durham, to further improve the treated water it returns to the environment.

By installing new processes to remove phosphorous as part of the treatment, the investment will support improvements to the river. The project to deliver the improvements at the works is part of the Water Industry National Environment Programme (WINEP).

The scheme will help reduce phosphorus levels in treated water, supporting cleaner waterways and a healthier local environment.

The upgrade will include:

• installing new equipment and improving existing systems to help remove more phosphorus and solids during the treatment process
• new chemical dosing kiosks and additional chemical delivery points

From October until the end of 2026, the Northumbrian Water and its partner, Costain, which will deliver the enhancements, will prepare the site for the upgrades, with work starting in earnest from January until summer 2027.

All work will be carried out within the company’s land, to the east of Trimdon.